Three-component refrigerant

Abstract

A three component refrigerant composition for use in vapour compression refrigerators and avoiding the use of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons comprises a three component mixture of: (i) a major portion comprised of chlorodifluoromethane (R22) or pentafluoroethane (R125); (ii) R125 or octafluoropropane (R218); and (iii) propane in non-flammable proportions.o

I claim: 
     
       1. A non-flammable refrigerant composition for use in a refrigerant apparatus which comprises a mixture of three different components: (i) 65 to 93 wt% chlorodifluoromethane (R22);   (ii) 3 to 15 wt% propane (R290); and   (iii) the balance octafluoropropane (R218);   in non-flammable proportions.   
     
     
       2. A composition according to claim 1 which comprises: (i) 83-93 wt% of R22;   (ii) 3-9 wt% of R218; and   (iii) 3-9 wt% of propane.   
     
     
       3. A vapour compression refrigeration apparatus which employs as refrigerant medium a composition according to claim 1. 
     
     
       4. A method of performing vapour compression refrigeration comprising compressing and condensing a non-flammable refrigerant composition which comprises a mixture of three different components: (i) 65 to 93 wt% chlorodifluoromethane (R22);   (ii) 3 to 15 wt% propane (R290); and   (iii) the balance octafluoropropane (R218); in non-flammable proportions.